"at" refers to a location, whereas "in" refers to the inside. The former, "at", could refer to either the outside or the inside of a building. Both of these are correct:
I'm at the hospital. <The speaker could be inside or outside the building>
I'm in the hospital.
Speakers might use "at" instead of "in" when location itself is more important than being inside that location and doing something; i.e., waiting for the doctor. For example, a speaker, not all, might use "at" and "in" this way,
I'm at the hospital, waiting for the doctor. <the location is important>
I'm in the hospital, waiting for the doctor. <the action is important>
All the best. :-D
It seems to me I grasped the idea.
We usually refer to organizations (meaning that we've come to the place to perform some corresponding actions, not to find a shelter from the rain or to paint the walls ) - AT:
at the post office, at the hairdresser's, at a restaurant, etc.
So why does Murphy Grammar recommend IN with hospital?
As far as I understand now, you are IN hospital if you're supposed to stay there for some days (imprisoned there in a way - the idea of being inside some place).
But we say: He's at AT hospital, having his leg being bandaged. (he's a patient, but not imprisoned, just a routine).
Again, we say IN prison.
Essentially, as you suggest, to be "in hospital" implies that you are being treated for a condition and that the treatment will last a period of time that will require you to stay in the hospital: "She is in hospital having treatment for leukemia".
However, if you are only in for a short time and will not be required to stay there - emergency treatment, a clinic, visiting a patient - then you are "at the hospital".
With 'the' added for NaE.
"She is in the hospital having treatment for leukemia".
Sorry for a certain lack of wits - but here (as sometimes in such threads) is s bit of confusion.
What are we talking about? :lol:
Is the point that - talking about a short stay at a hospital for bandaging not only we should use 'AT' but 'the' as well?
! By no means I want to hurt the feelings of AE or CE, but let's finish with the British variants first .
The only difference between BrE and NaE, it seems, is that for a prolonged stay, we use 'the', whereas BrE doesn't.
BrE - She's in hospital for an operation.
NaE - She's in the hospital for an operation.
I see. But the question was: should I (in BE) always use 'IN hospital' without the article while using 'the' every time I say 'AT' ('at the hospital')/
Is 'at hospital' wrong?